When you step into a fight, how do you decide what to do first? Do you press in aggressively, or do you stay at a…

One of the most interesting things about Historical European Martial Arts is that original teachings of masters from the 14th to 17th centuries are available…

When working with two weapons the biggest mistake is to try to manage them independently from one another. This type of divided attention forces you…

A week ago I returned from the Western Martial Arts Workshop (WMAW) in Racine, Wisconsin. I have been honoured to be a part of this…

About 300 kilometers (186 miles) south of Taipei is the tropical beach city of Tainan. Known for its good food, vibrant night markets, and richly…

I’ve just returned from a month working with students and instructors across the middle kingdom in Fuzhou, Nanjing, Chongqing, and Beijing. China is one of…

The Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium (VISS) is a premier event in the Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) community, drawing practitioners and instructors from around the…

Among the foundational concepts in Italian Swordplay is “tempo,” a term that extends beyond mere timing to encompass the rhythm, opportunity, and decision-making critical to…

Deception is one of the most alluring ideas in martial arts. Yet good deception is significantly more complex and subtle than simply being sneaky. Today…

Each defense or counter-attack is what demands the next piece of the form, the next counter. A good form demonstrates a series of obedience-inducing t…